Any guys higher up on the list plan on applying for EMS in a few months?

I am taking my state certification exam August 15 and applying to FDNY ems September. I am going in with the bare minimum of a 70 being I have no other ems experience. I am hoping if something happens this time around, I am on ems before the next NOE for the promotional comes out. Anyone new to ems have an idea of a timeframe for someone with minimum qualifications for ems to getting into the academy? I'm hoping its within 2 years of applying.

I actually start the Ems academy on Monday. My list number for 2000 is under 800 but I figured it's good to get in the door and there's nothing wrong with a little extra pt to get me ready for the suppression side. We already have to wait until at least January and possibly next July if everyone passes the initial tests.

I got into EMS in just under a year but it was at the beginning of them going crazy hiring due to the EMS promos class so might be a little longer now that they've already put out 3 classes back to back with a 4th going in now.

Don't think any of the PT you'll get in the EMS academy will in anyway help or prepare you for anything whether it be fire or just general health. That's the nicest way I can say it.

45 days until the next academy (as of now). Doesn't it seem like an eternity since we first got our scores?

Yeah it does, especially when people are always asking you if you've heard anything yet and you have no update for them. I wouldn't be surprised if half the people I've told about the exam think I'm making it up at this point lol.

So.....once again this thread has gone off the rails. I don't really have much to say in the way of news, but I have to get something off my chest.

First of all, between the new probies assigned to my company and those from the open competitive list that I've met I'm optimistic about the future of this job, despite the bad press and constant chattering involving court decisions. Sometimes reading the controversial news and msg. boards causes us to take too narrow a view of the future. Step back and see the big picture.

Okay, with that said I'd like to say something with regard to the Priority Hire situation. To those on that list I say this: My personal belief is that you do not deserve to be hired. As someone who was hired off of the lists in question I do not believe for a moment that the process was racially biased towards any one group. That aside, I can't fault someone for taking advantage of a closed door that was re-opened. I hope that those who'll make it onto this job from the PH list will feel humbled and fortunate to have been given this opportunity and will push themselves to no end to make the most of this situation. The firehouse is a true family and like a family it has highs and lows, but we all strive to make it the best place on earth. With that in mind, no one wants lingering animosity in their workplace. Every proby that walks into firehouse is going to have the same clean slate. The same opportunity to make the best first impression possible. You need to understand that no one is happy about the order of retro hiring. No one is ever going to accept that they worked for pennies for 5 years before reaching the salary you will receive on day one. You will never convince anyone that you deserve this. However, as a person and a proby, you will be judged as an individual. There is no reason that you can't walk into a company, make that place better and be the all-star proby that guys use as an example to future new firemen. Put aside any agenda, put aside the rhetoric of the Vulcan Society. They seek to divide, not unify. Enter this job in the mind-set of any new hire. This is not a court, there are no more entitlements. You'll have to earn your place from here on out.

Judging from this forum, some get this and some don't. Some are trying to work with one another and others are running to tell mommy about things they don't like. One attitude will get you very far in the firehouse, the other attitude will follow you around as a stain for your entire career.

Yeah it does, especially when people are always asking you if you've heard anything yet and you have no update for them. I wouldn't be surprised if half the people I've told about the exam think I'm making it up at this point lol.

That question is becoming so irritating. Friends and family keep asking "so when are you getting called" like once or twice a week and I'm starting to feel the same as you man.

That question is becoming so irritating. Friends and family keep asking "so when are you getting called" like once or twice a week and I'm starting to feel the same as you man.

it's always funny to see people's reactions when they find out how long I've been waiting (not just since I took 2000, just in general). Understandably, most people who have no desire to be a FF have no idea how long and drawn out the process is.

But for guys looking at Jan 14 we've already done about 97% of the waiting we'll have to do if we do make it through the whole process. I guess that's a positive?

it's always funny to see people's reactions when they find out how long I've been waiting (not just since I took 2000, just in general). Understandably, most people who have no desire to be a FF have no idea how long and drawn out the process is.

But for guys looking at Jan 14 we've already done about 97% of the waiting we'll have to do if we do make it through the whole process. I guess that's a positive?

On May 14th, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed Eastern District Judge Nicholas Garaufis' finding that the FDNY engaged in intentional discrimination against blacks and Hispanics. Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP proudly filed a brief in opposition to these outlandish, highly offensive and divisive claims. They offered their services pro-bono for an FDNY advocacy group, Merit Matters, and over 11,000 people who signed the petition maintained on the S&G website.
To date, Keith Sullivan & James Galleshaw, the founding partners of Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP have provided hundreds of hours of free legal services to this very worthy cause. “Sullivan and Galleshaw have represented Merit Matters on a pro-bono basis for almost four years. They have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to NYC residents and firefighters. I have called on them at all times of the day and night and have always been provided with timely answers and advice. I can't say enough positive things about them. I highly recommend them” said FDNY Deputy Chief Paul Mannix,

In order to understand the implication of this ruling on this lengthy and complex case, it is necessary to understand how this case was initiated and what has happened in it along the way. To keep that summary simple, the Department of Justice filed a “Disparate Impact” lawsuit against the FDNY alleging that blacks and Hispanics were failing the FDNY entrance exams more frequently than white candidates. The Vulcan Society, a fraternal organization of black firefighters, joined in those allegations and added a theory of “Disparate Treatment”, which alleged that the FDNY intentionally discriminated against blacks and Hispanics. Eastern District Court Judge Nicholas Garaufis denied the FDNY the right to have a full trial on these two legal theories and determined that as a matter of law that the FDNY was liable on both fronts. As a result of the “Impact” claim, he instituted quota hiring and back-pay as compensation. As a result of the “Treatment” claim, he appointed a Special Monitor to be a pseudo-surrogate in managing and operating the FDNY in matters of recruitment, candidate retention, EEO issues, employee retention, Human Resources, department policy and procedures and also required that the FDNY hire expert consultants to assist in reversing the racist atmosphere that he alleged exists.

The New York City Law Department represented the City of New York. On behalf of Merit Matters and you, Sullivan & Galleshaw filed an Amicus Curia brief with the appellate court. Merit Matters is an advocacy group that opposes illegal quota-based hiring or promoting and touts an individual’s merit as the sole factor to be considered in the hiring and promoting of firefighters within the FDNY and society as a whole. The group was founded by Deputy Chief Paul Mannix and is represented pro-bono by Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP. They have over 10,000 registered supporters.

Most unfortunately, they City Law Department -despite constant requests from Sullivan & Galleshaw and Merit Matters- chose to only appeal the Disparate Treatment (a/k/a Intentional Discrimination) claim. Thus, that was the only issue before the appellate court. There was compelling evidence that the entry-level tests used in the past were legal because they tested job-related requirements, such as reading comprehension, logic and other fundamental cognitive skills. Thus, despite the fact that minorities were not passing them in lockstep with white candidates, Merit Matters maintained that they were legal since the law allows for such disparate impact results if the tests are assessing skills that are job-related.

In overturning Judge Garafuis’ ruling the appellate court also made the unprecedented finding that the judge is has shown a clear bias against the FDNY and ordered that the case is to be remanded back to a different District Court Judge to preside over a bench trial on whether the FDNY intentionally discriminates against minorities. The evidence is overwhelming that such a vile allegation is false and should easily be refuted in Court once the FDNY is afforded their Constitutional right to a trial on this issue-- something judge Gatafuis denied.

Merit Matters and Sullivan & Galleshaw have been at the forefront of this case arduously advocating for equality. During a court hearing Garaufis asked an FDNY Commissioner what should be done to discipline and prevent the outspoken Merit Matters group. In the most embarrassing moment in the whole case, the Commissioner had to remind the Judge about the existence of the First Amendment and freedom of speech, when he advised the judge that these bedrock principles of our Country protect the advocacy and speech of Merit Matters.

"This was a major victory. We are pleased that the Appeals Court agreed with our brief, that initial finding of Intentional Discrimination was simply shocking. We are dismayed, however, that the City did not appeal the entire ruling. Their failure to appeal the finding of Disparate Impact means lesser qualified individuals, some who scored as low as 25 on an open book test, may now be hired because of skin color. Introducing employees hired because of a quota creates myriad problems for an organization, and in the FDNY these problems include a corrosive atmosphere that may impact our ability to provide the best possible service to those who rely on us”, said Paul Mannix earlier this week.

Attorney Keith Sullivan said, “This is a tremendous legal victory for that which was up on appeal. To vacate a decision that held that the members of the FDNY are racist and intentionally discriminate against blacks and Hispanics through patterns and practices of racist behavior is a great victory. That allegation on the FDNY is perhaps the most offensive allegation one could make. That ugly and divisive allegation was a badge of disrespect that our friends and family who are members of the department did not deserve to have pinned on them. However, I have always maintained that the City’s failure to appeal the entire case was a critical error and one that can have long-term negative implications for the FDNY”.

Merit Matters and Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP will continue to be the loudest voice and strongest advocate for equality and fairness. A large part of what the group has taken on is fighting back against illegal policies that are designed to favor people based on their skin color. “When you hire the best, most qualified candidate in a color-blind manner, you’ll get the best department, one like the FDNY that we can all be proud of. However, the minute politics and preferential treatment plays into the vetting process, you’re no longer hiring the best candidates. All people should be treated equal without any regard to race” Sullivan said. Paul Mannix stated, “A win is a win and I am happy about it as far as it goes, but it could have and should have been much more extensive. Sullivan & Galleshaw are looking into what, if any, legal maneuvers they can employ to have the appellate courts review the remaining portions of the case. Merit Matters is our name but it is much more than that - it is an indisputable truth which, if ignored, will result in tragedy.”

At first i use to struggle with the 1.5m, running it just under 14 minutes. Just hate running. After a few months of consistently running, my best time has been 10:57. Now I've been running distance as opposed to just the 1.5m.

The same people ask me the same questions around every 1-2 weeks. I use to go into detail and try and explain this whole mess. Now I just say sometime in 2014, if everything runs the way its suppose to.

Quick question. What does everyone think about what OC numbers they will send packets out to for the Jan class? Not what number they will hire up to but what number will they stop at for sending packets.

Thank you sir. That's going to be one of my goals after entering the academy.

They're going to take Vets first. If they have a lot of Vets, rank in your branch of service will matter. Considering that the top of the list is pretty chock full of Vets, that's the only group who'll be squad leaders.

I know i may get in trouble for asking such a stupid question for such a stupid reason but, question for MM if u don't mind. Can u give me an idea of the "homework" load while in the academy. Honest reason for asking is..well...Ps4 and Xbox One are dropping this winter. Just wanted to know about how much personal time i may have. Just to have an idea. And before anyone ask how old i am or if i understand my priorities, im gonna be home, tired, sore and aching from the academy. What else am i gonna do?

and there's nothing wrong with a little extra pt to get me ready for the suppression side.

I don't mean to be rude but BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Ha. Since your time in EMS will likely be short there's no excuse for having a bad attitude there. Make the most of it while there so that you'll better appreciate just how much better the other side is.

re: Spiderneck: Homework is to be up on all your reading for whatever classes you have the following day, and in general since the quizzes/tests cover a lot of ground. If you are a strong student you may be able to manage this better than others, however it is still no small task. You already have video game consoles, right? Why rush to buy the new ones, save yourself the temptation and play the same old games you have, then reward yourself when it's done.

Been lurking in this thread for a long time now. Figured I would make an account and say hello...

Originally Posted by Spiderneck30

I know i may get in trouble for asking such a stupid question for such a stupid reason but, question for MM if u don't mind. Can u give me an idea of the "homework" load while in the academy. Honest reason for asking is..well...Ps4 and Xbox One are dropping this winter. Just wanted to know about how much personal time i may have. Just to have an idea. And before anyone ask how old i am or if i understand my priorities, im gonna be home, tired, sore and aching from the academy. What else am i gonna do?

This goes for you and anyone else looking to get hired. When you take the oath, you dedicate your life to this job. This statement applies even harder in the academy. The academy is a mental, physical and social challenge. You will have to put it before everything else. Girlfriend, wife, significant other, kids and friends will have all to do their best to work with you and help you get through. Some are more understanding than others but you simply cannot excel in the academy if you don't devote everything into giving it your all and minimizing distractions.

The homework is whatever you want it to be. Can some people get by without ever opening the book? Sure, but is that the firefighter you want to become? Something in that book may very well save your life or another someday. You need to expect an 11 hour work day plus commute. When you get home, you will have some time to shower up, eat a well deserved meal and an hour or two to do what you have to do if you intend to get at least 5 hours of sleep in.

The video games will always be there. This job is a once in a life time opportunity.

FDNY firefighters pride themselves on pushing their limits to get the job done. When you wake up in the morning do you want to look yourself in the mirror and say you're trying your best, or are you going to do whatever it takes?